abqtj
Pre-takeoff checklist
Got it done today!
Second solo in the books, 1 hour in the pattern at KAEG.
Started off a little crappy. Did 3 landings with the CFI, on the third I bounced it pretty good. So he said, nope, let's do one more. Got that 4th one in and he said let's go to the ramp.
Got started back up and headed to the runway. Thing is, while we did the 4, the pattern and surrounding air was pretty quiet. I get up and in the pattern with 1 other 172 and all of a sudden this Class D got real busy. Of course! I was laughing at it more than anything, but the first lap in the pattern was a little sporty. Called me as #4 to land, with 2 straight in from the north (both faster planes). Tower tells me either extend downwind or right 360, my choice. I do a right 360...then when I get back on the downwind he tells me to extend downwind anyway...then he'll call base. Calls base 5 seconds later. Then maybe 5-10 more seconds and he says never mind, sorry, but turn right again to extend downwind more. LOL...ok...finally got to turn base and get down for touch-n-go.
With that one down, the next ones were pretty normal. Although #2 or #3 (I forget) I bounced 3 times. UGH! After that crappy one, the rest were really smooth and just about perfect.
Tower did have a few more fun instructions. Asked how many more I was doing after #4 I think (just 2-3 more)...then asked if I minded switching to runway 17 (I was on 22) because someone wanted runway 4. I said sure, no problem. Pretty used to being moved around a lot at KABQ, so it doesn't bug me.
So tower says on the go after the landing on 22, make right traffic to swing around for 17. OK...well, except on the go he says to cancel the right turn and stay left traffic for runway 22. OK...
Anyway, couple more then I go pick up my CFI and we head back to KABQ.
WHEW!!
Next is a solo to the practice area on Friday.
Second solo in the books, 1 hour in the pattern at KAEG.
Started off a little crappy. Did 3 landings with the CFI, on the third I bounced it pretty good. So he said, nope, let's do one more. Got that 4th one in and he said let's go to the ramp.
Got started back up and headed to the runway. Thing is, while we did the 4, the pattern and surrounding air was pretty quiet. I get up and in the pattern with 1 other 172 and all of a sudden this Class D got real busy. Of course! I was laughing at it more than anything, but the first lap in the pattern was a little sporty. Called me as #4 to land, with 2 straight in from the north (both faster planes). Tower tells me either extend downwind or right 360, my choice. I do a right 360...then when I get back on the downwind he tells me to extend downwind anyway...then he'll call base. Calls base 5 seconds later. Then maybe 5-10 more seconds and he says never mind, sorry, but turn right again to extend downwind more. LOL...ok...finally got to turn base and get down for touch-n-go.
With that one down, the next ones were pretty normal. Although #2 or #3 (I forget) I bounced 3 times. UGH! After that crappy one, the rest were really smooth and just about perfect.
Tower did have a few more fun instructions. Asked how many more I was doing after #4 I think (just 2-3 more)...then asked if I minded switching to runway 17 (I was on 22) because someone wanted runway 4. I said sure, no problem. Pretty used to being moved around a lot at KABQ, so it doesn't bug me.
So tower says on the go after the landing on 22, make right traffic to swing around for 17. OK...well, except on the go he says to cancel the right turn and stay left traffic for runway 22. OK...
Anyway, couple more then I go pick up my CFI and we head back to KABQ.
WHEW!!
Next is a solo to the practice area on Friday.
Another solo attempt, another bad day.
Went to go get my second solo signed off. Flew the pattern for a few at KAEG, but the winds were a little high (11-12kts), outside of the solo limits. So I figured we'd get some windy landing practice.
All of my landings were really nice. Worst of the bunch was still pretty good. Then the winds died to 8-9kts, so CFI asked if I wanted to solo. I said sure, let's get this done.
Drop him off and go for my first lap. Everything was great, good landing, come to full stop no problems. Go back to start of the runway and get going, then as I'm almost to rotate speed, plane goes left of me (well, I'm sure it's me more than the plane). I control it enough to not run off the side of the runway, but it rattled me pretty good. Had to lock up the brakes in the process.
Call tower tell them I aborted my takeoff. Asks if I need assistance and I declined, just asked to return to the ramp. Got my CFI and we headed back to the home airport.
This is the same plane that I ran off the left of the runway on my first solo landing (not during takeoff). I'm not sure what it is with me and this plane, but I'm not going to do any solo work in it. They have 2 other planes to choose from, so I'll pass on this one. Something about it doesn't mesh with me I guess. I don't know.
Really with I could figure out what I'm physically doing wrong that is causing this.
BTW...54hrs total, almost 200 landings, 1.4 solo time...I should be further along...
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